Propeller shaft



Dec. ,9, 1930. N. F. HADLEY PROFELLER SHAFT Filed may 24, 1927 IN VEN T 0R /vfwm/v E #mv/.5x

I TTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 193@ UNTE STES NEWTON F. HADLEY, OF BEVERLY HELLS,

MICHGLN, ASSIGNOR TO CHRYSLER COR- PGRATION, OF HIGHLAND PARK, lfICHIG-AN, A CORPORATION OF DELAVJ'AR-E PROPELLEB SHAFT Application fue@ my ai,

This invention relates to propeller shafts and more particularly to a drive shaft such as is used in motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a light weight drive shaft having maximum torsional fiexibility with sufficient torsional strength in which the beam rigidity is increased to prevent its tendency to whip.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive construction in which the combination and arrangement of parts permit maximum torsional iiexibility and maximum beam rigidity with a minimum weight.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a propeller shaft, parts being broken away and parts in section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a modified form of the shaft.

Fig. 4e is a sectional View showing another modification.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a further modification. Y

Fig. 6 is a view showing a modification of the method for securing the parts together.

T he propeller shaft selected for illustrating the embodiment of my invention comprises a tubular member 10 provided at its opposite ends with universal joint connections 12 adapted to be received by driving and driven members. Secured to or carried by the tubular member 10 is a fiuted tubular member 14. The fluted tubular member may be welded to either the universal joint connections or the tubular member and the tubular member is preferably secured to the connection 12 by welding. if desired, the fluted tubular member may be pressed over the outer periphery ef the tubular member 10.

It is desirable to permit a certain torsional flexibility in the propeller shaft so that sudden acceleration of the driving member will not cause a jerk on the driven member. This may be accomplished by providing a relatively thin walled tubular member but such 192'?. Serial No.*193,851.

a member is not usually strong enough to withstand bending or beam strains. If the wall thickness is increased to prevent bending then the shaft is too .rigid for torsional flexibility. I have provided a relatively thin walled tubular member thru which the drive is transmitted and have arranged the fluted tubular member to ooact with the tubular member to strengthen it against bending. The flutes extend axially of the tubethus providing ribs which may be twisted easily but not easily bent.

Referring to Fig. 2 a five fluted member has been shown which has been found to give very satisfactory results at a minimum expense. The inner points ofthe flutes engage the wall of the tubular member thru its entire vlength thereby stifening it against radial strains.V c

It has been found that the fluted tubular member may be directly secured to the uni versal. joint ends and the drive taken therethru wit-hout the use of an inner or outer tubular member. Fig. 3 shows such a member in which the. wall thickness is light enough topermit torsional' flexibility yet due to its increased beam rigidity Vcaused by the ribs or fiutes the member has a minimum tendency to whip. In this particular modification, the weight has been reduced over the present type shaft, and its torsional flexibility and beam rigidity have been increased.

' in Figecross ribs 16 have been arranged insidethetubularmemberthruout its length to increase its beam rigidity and in Fig. 5 a fiuted member 18 has been shown in place of the cross ribs 16.

The tinted tube le may be secured to the tubular member' 10 as `by weldingv and both f tubes may beA secured to the universal oint by the same welding operation. in Fig. 6 the end of the flnted tube 14 has been shown `swaged or drawn to a diameter to fit the entire periphery of the innertube 10 and welded thereto. n f

lt is to be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and it is not my intention to limit its scope other than by the terms of the appended claims.

tudinally fiuted tubular member arrangedrto n V- comprising, a tubular member, universal N Joint ends received in the opposite ends of Y What I claim is: Y Y Y 1. rApropeller shaft'of the classdescribed comprising,' a Vtubular member, anda fluted Vtubularmember around said tubular mem` ber engaging the outer periphery thereof.

2. A propeller shaft of the class described comprising, a tubular member and a longifrictionally engage said tubular member throughout 'the lengthof the latter.

`3.y Apropeller shaft of the class described said tubular member, and a longitudinally flutedmember around the Outer periphery of said tubular member and frictionallyengaging the same.

4. 'A propeller shaft. of the class .described comprising,"a tubular member, anda five ribbed utedtubular member around vsaid* f tubular member engaging the youter periphery vof said tubular member.

5.-A propeller lshaft. ofthec'lass described comprising, a tubular member having at its opposite ends connections for engaging driving and driven members, and a uted tubular lmember frictionally engaging said tubular f member throughout the length of said tubular member. f A

6. Apropeller shaft 0f the class described comprising, a'tubular member having connections at its opposite ends forengaging driving and driven members, and a tubular memy ber havmg longitudinal depressed portions around said tubular member engagingfthe outer periphery of vsaid `tubular member throughout its length. v Y,

7. A propeller shaft of the class described comprising, a tubular vmember anda longitudinally fluted tubular member arranged to f co-act with ysaid tubular memberroneof said tubular members frictionally engaging the other throughout its length.

, 8. A propeller shaftof the class described 45 comprising, atubular member` and a longitudinal lutedtubular member arranged to frictionally engaging said tubular member *throughout its length, oneV of said tubulary members being Within theother.

v comprising atubular member having longi- VAber.y having longitudinally exten ing ribs the opposite endsof said member and to the d 1 tudinally extending depressed ribs t outits length, and means at its opposite ends l secured to said tubular member for engaging roughdrivin and driven members.

10.Y propeller shaft comprisin a memthroughout its length, and means for connectin g said shaft to driving and driven memv bers including universal joints secured to extremities offsaid ribs. e NEWTON F. HADLEY 9. kA propeller shaft of the class described V, 

